Miriam H. Meisler, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Research
Professor of Human Genetics
Dr. Meisler received her BA in chemistry and biology from Queens College and her Ph.D. in physiological chemistry from Ohio State University. She completed postdoctoral training in mammalian genetics at the Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo. She joined the University of Michigan Medical School faculty in 1977, where she is currently a professor of human genetics.
Dr. Meisler’s laboratory uses genetic analysis of mouse models of neurological disorders to identify causative genes which are then evaluated as candidate for human disease. She has identified mutations in sodium channel genes and vesicular trafficking proteins responsible for neurological disorders including epilepsy, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and cognitive impairment. Her laboratory recently identified a mutation in a splicing factor that provides an example of gene-to-gene interaction affecting disease severity; this is likely to be a recurring theme in complex genetics in the future. She has published more than 150 research articles in premier journals including Nature, Science, Nature Genetics, Genes and Development, and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Dr. Meisler has served on many advisory boards and National Institutes of Health review panels, including a four year term on the Mammalian Genetics study section, and has influenced science policy as a member of the HUGO Mouse Genome Committee, Advisory Council for the NIDCD, and NIH Scientific Panel for Mouse ENU Mutagenesis. She is currently a member of the Program Committee of the American Society for Human Genetics. At the University of Michigan, she has served on the BMRC, the MSTP program committee, the Neuroscience Program Committee, and two terms on the Executive Committee. Since 2000, she has been Director of the NIH Training Program in Genetics.
Dr. Meisler was the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award in Biomedical Research, the highest award given by the Medical School for research. She was a Senior Fellow of the Michigan Society of Fellows from 2001 to 2005, and was recipient of the Sarah Goddard Power Award from the U-M Academic Women’s Caucus for her role in training and mentoring junior women scientists. In 2001, she was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
As an associate dean of research and graduate studies, Dr. Meisler oversees the Medical School’s basic science research mission, including guiding the School to support ongoing faculty research and identify regarding emerging fields of inquiry. She also serves as a resource to faculty for consultation and mentorship.
Contact Information
Miriam Meisler Ph.D
4808 C Med Sci II, SPC 5618
1301 Catherine St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618
734-763-5546
734-763-9691 fax
Email: meislerm@umich.edu